Clay County deputy arrested on DUI charge

A 48-year-old Clay County deputy who was arrested Saturday on a DUI charge has been placed on administrative leave.

According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, James Avery, 48, was involved in a crash on State Road 21 just south of State Road 16.

A deputy arriving at the scene said he saw front-end damage on Avery's truck and Avery out of the truck leaning on his girlfriend's SUV.

The arresting deputy said he noticed Avery's speech was mumbled and Avery was unsteady on his feet. The deputy said Avery failed a field sobriety test. He was arrested and booked into the Clay County jail.

Deputies said once at the jail, Avery blew zeros on the breath test that measures alcohol levels. They said toxicology testing and results are pending based on urine sample sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Avery was hired in August 1996 and has performed the duties of patrol deputy and school resource deputy throughout those years. He is currently the school resource officer at Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School.

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